Treating Your TMJ Disorder
We recently talked about bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist wants to talk about a related disorder known as TMJ disorder, or TMD. This is the result of jaw joint strain and could impact how you eat and speak. If you have chronic jaw pain or headaches, then you should talk to us about TMJ treatment!
The Onset of TMD
The temporomandibular joints connect our jaw and skull, and we need them to eat and speak. However, when these same joints undergo excessive strain due to bite imbalance and other factors, this could cause a disorder known as TMD. Along with chronic pain, this disorder could eventually make opening and closing your mouth difficult. Factors behind this issue include injury to the face or jaw, malocclusion, missing teeth, misalignment, or even untreated bruxism. As part of your treatment, we will assess the factors behind your disorder.
Symptoms and Complications
People with TMJ disorder may report chronic headaches or migraines or possibly a popping or clicking sound in your jaw. Other warning signs include soreness in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. The disorder could also lead to teeth grinding, which wears down outer tooth structure and increases the risk of decay and infection. You may notice sensitivity in your teeth, or persistent toothaches as a result. To restore balance and health, and avoid discomfort, you need to seek treatment from our team. We will carefully examine your smile with advanced digital imaging systems, so we can make a diagnosis with accuracy and precision. From there, we will create a treatment plan.
Solutions with an Oral Appliance
For many, we use the digital imaging systems we have to gather detailed procedures and measurements, which we use to design and custom-fit an oral appliance. The device will be worn as you sleep, and fits like a simple mouthguard. However, the device actually repositions the jaw to ease tension in the joints and bring relief. If you grind your teeth, the device also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth, which prevents further damage. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat a disorder like this, or if you would like to schedule an appointment and use your 2021 dental insurance benefits before they expire, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About TMD?
Our team is ready to help bring relief to your aching smile. If you would like to learn more about improving the balance and health of your smile, then schedule a consultation today by contacting Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.